Federal Flood Aid Could Be At Hand

Clinton May Declare Disaster Area Soon

A week after a slow-moving deluge swept through the area, federal relief is in sight for the hardest-hit victims of massive flooding in the western and southwestern suburbs.

President Clinton is expected to make low-interest loans, grants and other federal aid available to Chicago-area victims of last week's heavy rains, an Illinois congressman said Wednesday.

Republican Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, of Yorkville, after a meeting in Washington with Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt, said he expects Clinton to declare 11 northern Illinois counties a federal disaster area in "two or three days."

Flood victims have been searching for new housing, lining up for tetanus shots, arguing with insurance assessors and evaluating sentimental as well as financial losses--which are mounting into the hundreds of millions of dollars, by some estimates.

Officials at the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, who worked with federal officials, said they were seeking $72.8 million in low-interest loan aid from the Small Business Administration.

They said they also are seeking $32.9 million in housing assistance and individual and family grant funds and $28.1 million in public assistance for local units of government.

The designation as a federal disaster area would make available low-interest loans and grants for individuals and businesses stricken by the flood, one of the worst in recent history.

"The severity of the storms and the devastating impact of the flooding has taxed both the human and financial resources of the state and local government," Edgar wrote to Clinton.

Once areas are declared eligible for disaster aid, FEMA will set up a toll-free telephone number to take applications from flood victims for grants and loans.

"If (my parents) had answers about what assistance they'll get and whether they can rebuild, they'd feel better," said Shorewood's Kim Anderson, whose elderly parents saw their home of 41 years destroyed. "Right now, they don't know what they'll do."

In addition to potential federal and state aid, local governments are stepping in with their own versions of special deals for flood victims.

The DuPage County Board was among those that are waiving building permit fees for residents who need to rebuild flood-damaged property.

In Aurora, where recovery efforts were estimated to cost a staggering $100 million, an American Red Cross service center was opened at Central Catholic High School, 1255 N. Edgewater St.

At the center, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, flood victims will be able to meet with caseworkers to discuss their needs. Assistance could come in the form of vouchers for food, clothing, medication, transportation or tools.

In several towns, local businesses are pitching in with free products. Einstein Bros. Bagels, based in Westmont, has donated 5,000 bagels to the Red Cross to be distributed to flood victims in the west and southwest suburbs.

All this help means a great deal to flood victims, said Rocco Loconte Jr., whose Naperville home was severely damaged.

Although he faces an enormous amount of work rebuilding parts of his house, he said that small things such as free bagels and free building permits make a big difference.

"Of course you appreciate it," Loconte said. "We don't have the money to do what we have to do."

The rains also brought problems that will take wing after most of the floodwater has receded.

Health officials in Cook and Will Counties warned Wednesday that with stagnant, mosquito-friendly floodwater lingering around in birdbaths, coffee cans, tires and gutters, residents should take precautions to prevent an outbreak of encephalitis.

A young robin infected with St. Louis encephalitis was discovered in a forest preserve in Cook County's southwest suburbs during routine testing on Tuesday.

Mosquitoes can pass the sometimes-fatal disease from birds to humans. So far, no human cases have been reported of the virus, which affects the nervous system.

Symptoms usually occur between 5 and 15 days following a bite and include fever, nausea, headache, muscle aches, stiffness and even disorientation.

"To reduce risk, people need to keep the breeding grounds where mosquitoes are lurking to a minimum," said Mark Matuck, a communicable disease epidemiologist for the Cook County Department of Health.